Members of the campaign for the permanent protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region are eagerly awaiting a White House announcement of the region’s designation as a National Monument, but that doesn’t mean we’re sitting around doing nothing!
Quite the contrary: although Presidential action is expected soon and the champagne is on ice (metaphorically speaking at least), we’re still actively seeking endorsements from local governments, businesses, landowners, and anyone who loves this remarkable landscape. Assembly Joint Resolution 4, sponsored by Assemblymember Bill Dodd with the strong support of Redwood Chapter’s other state legislators, passed in early April and was transmitted to the White House: this is the first time -- ever! -- that any state legislature has formally endorsed a proposed national monument. The most recent new supporters include the cities of American Canyon, Calistoga and Napa all of whom voted unanimously to support monument designation; at press time, a presentation before the Clearlake City Council (which passed a resolution of support for a National Conservation Area more than five years ago) was being agendized. Please check out the full support list at berryessasnowmountain.org -- and if you don’t see your own name, take a moment to sign a digital postcard of support.
Another exciting moment came in April when President Obama put out a national request for photographs of regions we (the people) “would fight to protect” -- and a Berryessa Snow Mountain photograph by Tuleyome staff member Mary Hanson was chosen for inclusion as part of the White House Earth Day message!
Here in Redwood Chapter, on April 18 I had the opportunity to give a presentation on the extraordinary biodiversity of the BSM region as part of the Lakeport Library’s “Know Lake County” series, and have since been invited for a repeat performance before the Rockhounds Club early next month.
And for a truly unusual tribute, the wilderness perfumery Juniper Ridge is adding an extra component to its longstanding support for the BSM campaign by creating a unique “Berryessa Snow Mountain” fragrance, distilled from plants native to the area by traditional methods that owe more to art and a “conversation with the living, wild ecology” than to science. I can’t wait for a sniff!
by Victoria Brandon, Redwood Chapter Chair